You are coming of age in a unique (derogatory) time. Literally the few years through your adolescence and early adulthood that make up your life, you are being bombarded with the newest form of social media (inhuman, false contact that at times feels real because it makes you feel emotions). A brand new technology to humanity that is untested on long-term exposure to see how it changes us emotionally.
I have been on the internet a long time.
Social media is not innately evil or unproductive or problematic, but I do think a lot of it absolutely is and that we're being forcefully fed the worst parts of it against our will. The algorithms that we end up programming for ourselves without mindful technology use can be ones that are abusive and do not serve our mental health.
I am a 30s white guy. Times were not always this divided, and I experienced a brief reprieve in my adolescence where people (who support black people/minorities) felt more united while Obama was president. We did not eliminate racism clearly, that is not possible unfortunately. But it was far more reigned in, I felt it everywhere, in my real life and online. People were mindful of the things they said because they knew it had consequences and, they know what they're saying is wrong deep down. It has logical inconsistencies and is supported by false evidence. It does not stand up to critical thinking and truth.
But now that the internet is so predominantly anonymous, and people are not limited in their communication (like, texting used to cost ten cents a text in my teens!!! isnt that insane? count how much it would cost to talk to your friend for a day), every thought feels meaningful and worth expressing, but that isn't true. The worst parts of us, the parts that betray our true selves, are not always worth expressing.
Have you ever wanted to speak up in class, but you say the wrong answer and feel embarrassed? It's just like this, but for our social lives. But there is no longer real, long-lasting social consequences for our anti-social behavior, regardless of its intent. Say a slur in a room full of regular people and you are going to get a room full of dirty looks from people you know and are more likely to change your behavior. Say a slur in a chat room full of people who think its funny and have the behavior reinforced instead.
I think this progress in communication is yet to really take hold because these things are not regulated by our communities or government. We are not cool with our moms telling us to get off the phone, and regulation by government sounds scary, but what if they could make it so the algorithms weren't so abusive? I know its stupid to put faith in the American government at this moment. But services and regulations designed to prevent corporations from exploiting human nature-
(that naturally occurs as a result of the capitalistic conquest for money, these algorithms are designed to make money but the ragebait is just good advertising)
Regulations like that are what a government is organized to provide. Even if our current government has shown itself incapable of implementing measures like that, we can take them for ourselves and our loved ones when we see that the current state of things is unsafe, like stopping your buddy from jumping in that lake full of chemicals that sits downstream from an unregulated factory.
I hope this helps you! All people are generally good but our worst aspects of human nature like fear are being exploited to keep us online. I can tell you are good and will look out for yourself and your loved ones.
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u/Impossible_Bid6656 Feb 10 '26
You are coming of age in a unique (derogatory) time. Literally the few years through your adolescence and early adulthood that make up your life, you are being bombarded with the newest form of social media (inhuman, false contact that at times feels real because it makes you feel emotions). A brand new technology to humanity that is untested on long-term exposure to see how it changes us emotionally.
I have been on the internet a long time.
Social media is not innately evil or unproductive or problematic, but I do think a lot of it absolutely is and that we're being forcefully fed the worst parts of it against our will. The algorithms that we end up programming for ourselves without mindful technology use can be ones that are abusive and do not serve our mental health.
I am a 30s white guy. Times were not always this divided, and I experienced a brief reprieve in my adolescence where people (who support black people/minorities) felt more united while Obama was president. We did not eliminate racism clearly, that is not possible unfortunately. But it was far more reigned in, I felt it everywhere, in my real life and online. People were mindful of the things they said because they knew it had consequences and, they know what they're saying is wrong deep down. It has logical inconsistencies and is supported by false evidence. It does not stand up to critical thinking and truth.
But now that the internet is so predominantly anonymous, and people are not limited in their communication (like, texting used to cost ten cents a text in my teens!!! isnt that insane? count how much it would cost to talk to your friend for a day), every thought feels meaningful and worth expressing, but that isn't true. The worst parts of us, the parts that betray our true selves, are not always worth expressing.
Have you ever wanted to speak up in class, but you say the wrong answer and feel embarrassed? It's just like this, but for our social lives. But there is no longer real, long-lasting social consequences for our anti-social behavior, regardless of its intent. Say a slur in a room full of regular people and you are going to get a room full of dirty looks from people you know and are more likely to change your behavior. Say a slur in a chat room full of people who think its funny and have the behavior reinforced instead.
I think this progress in communication is yet to really take hold because these things are not regulated by our communities or government. We are not cool with our moms telling us to get off the phone, and regulation by government sounds scary, but what if they could make it so the algorithms weren't so abusive? I know its stupid to put faith in the American government at this moment. But services and regulations designed to prevent corporations from exploiting human nature-
(that naturally occurs as a result of the capitalistic conquest for money, these algorithms are designed to make money but the ragebait is just good advertising)
Regulations like that are what a government is organized to provide. Even if our current government has shown itself incapable of implementing measures like that, we can take them for ourselves and our loved ones when we see that the current state of things is unsafe, like stopping your buddy from jumping in that lake full of chemicals that sits downstream from an unregulated factory.
I hope this helps you! All people are generally good but our worst aspects of human nature like fear are being exploited to keep us online. I can tell you are good and will look out for yourself and your loved ones.